Harlequins take care of scrum-half injury crisis with short-term loan signing

High-flying Harlequins have quickly moved to shore up their scrum-half injury crisis by raiding Premiership rivals Worcester. 

Unbeaten in 2019 in the English league, Quins have had their half-back stocks depleted by recent injuries to Danny Care and Charlie Mulchrone.

That left boss Paul Gustard on the look-out for cover and he has managed to secure the services of Worcester’s Luke Baldwin, the former Saracens and Bristol player, on a short-term loan.

“I’m delighted Like has joined us,” said Gustard, who side next play fellow play-off rivals Gloucester at home in the Premiership title race. 

“He will strengthen an area where we currently have a few injuries and lack of availability. To secure Luke in this period is a real positive step for us.

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“I am very thankful for Alan Solomons and Worcester Warriors for allowing Luke to join us and I appreciate the work Ed Spokes, the head of recruitment, has done over the last two days to get this sorted after our victory in Bath.

“Luke is a quick, running nine who has a strong core skill-set which I’m sure our supporters will look forward to seeing. Having coached him for many years previously I know he is a very likeable lad who will add great value off the field.”

Baldwin, whose last match was a Premiership Cup game in November for Worcester against Saracens, said: ‘'I'm delighted to be joining Harlequins and look forward to helping them during this excellent season they are having.

"I have an enormous amount of respect for Paul and the work he is doing at the club and I can't wait to get started.”

Baldwin’s best season at the Warriors was in 2016/17 when he was their starting scrum-half in nine Premiership fixtures, but he hasn’t featured in the league at all for them this term.